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Genesis and Dissemination of Highly Pathogenic H5N6 Avian Influenza Viruses

Lei Yang1, Wenfei Zhu1, Xiaodan Li1

  • 1National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Collaboration Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Key Laboratory for Medical Virology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Journal of Virology
|December 23, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N6 viruses in China evolved through two pathways, generating three reassortants. These viruses show mammalian adaptation and antigenic variation, necessitating close monitoring for pandemic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5Nx) viruses have globally spread from Asia.
  • Human infections with H5N6 viruses have been reported in China since 2014.
  • The genetic diversity and origins of these viruses require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genesis and evolutionary pathways of H5N6 avian influenza viruses in China.
  • To analyze genetic characteristics, including reassortment and mutations, of environmental H5 or N6 viruses.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 123 H5 or N6 environmental viruses sampled from live-poultry markets and farms in Mainland China (2012–2015).
  • Sequence analysis to determine viral origins, reassortment events, and genetic mutations.

Main Results:

  • Clade 2.3.4.4 H5N2/N6/N8 viruses share a common hemagglutinin gene originating in early 2009.
  • Two independent pathways led to the genesis of H5N6 viruses between 2012 and 2015, generating three major reassortants (A, B, and C).
  • Reassortants A and B viruses derived internal genes from clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1, while reassortant C viruses derived them from H9N2 viruses. Mammalian adaptation mutations and antigenic variations were detected.

Conclusions:

  • The dynamic reassortment and circulation of H5N6 viruses in poultry pose a significant public health concern.
  • Detected mutations suggest potential for mammalian adaptation and antigenic variation, increasing pandemic potential.
  • Close monitoring of these viruses in both poultry and human populations is highly recommended.
Keywords:
H5N6highly pathogenic avian influenzareassortment

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